Tool grinding software upgrade

NUM has unveiled a major upgrade to its Numroto tool grinding software. Offering numerous additional features and enhancements, Version 4.0 is designed to increase the productivity of tool and cutter grinders without the need for additional hardware.

A notable enhancement sees ball-nose and corner radius tools in Numroto allow the programming of a helix step on end mills. For the first time, it is possible to program different helix angles for the end of the radius and beginning of the cylindrical section.
A further upgrade concerns Numroto Draw, which automatically processes the geometry data used for grinding a tool to generate a basic drawing. Many Numroto users choose to provide this drawing together with the finished ground tool to their customers – to show standards compliance. The latest software release extends this capability by automatically displaying the geometry of the grinding wheels and grinding wheel packages needed to make the tool in the drawing. Furthermore, all the important dimensions are added automatically to the grinding wheels. The time-saving benefits of this approach are said to be considerable: a grinding wheel assembly drawing can be printed out for the machine operator to help speed set up without having to involve the design department, which is especially advantageous for companies handling numerous small production runs.
The 3D simulation facilities of Numroto 4.0 have also been enhanced. For instance, coolant holes in the 3D blank are displayed automatically, and users can now add DXF comparison profiles. What’s more, there is a new measurement mode which provides comparator functionality, while the programmed feed rate can now be displayed during 3D simulations.
For further information www.num.com

Custom-built engine up for grabs

A 727-in3 EFI custom-built hemispherical engine from Sonny’s World Class Racing is the prize in the 2018 Sunnen Engine Charity Sweepstakes at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show.

The engine can be street-driven on 93 octane fuel, producing 1310 hp, naturally aspirated. This will be the 30th anniversary of the Sunnen Engine Charity Sweepstakes, with all proceeds going to Victory Junction, a camp founded by NASCAR’s Petty family for children living with serious medical conditions. The winning ticket will be drawn at the PRI show in Indianapolis in December.
Valued at more than $60,000, the engine will include: Sonny’s fully in-house ported hemispherical cylinder heads, Sonny’s/Brodix 5000 BS block featuring 1” raised cam with special high-flow water jackets, a Bryant billet crank, Carrillo steel billet rods and much more.
Over the past 30 years Sunnen, PRI and many well-known engine builders have teamed up to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities within the racing community. To purchase tickets for the Sunnen Engine Charity Sweepstakes, or for more information on Victory Junction, please visit the web address provided.
For further information https://victoryjunction.org/sunnen-sweepstakes

JLR parts

A Midlands-based lightweight casting company is set to start on a new programme of work on parts for the next generation of Jaguar Land Rover vehicles.

Sarginsons Industries, which is based in Coventry, has invested to upgrade its sand foundry, which will see the firm making new components for the aluminium chassis of future vehicles. Work is set to start this month after the company invested in new process controls and mixing equipment at its manufacturing facility. Sarginsons will provide the parts to two tier-one suppliers to JLR.
For further information www.sarginsons.com

Promotion at XYZ

XYZ Machine Tools says that customer service has always been a business priority, from initial sale through to ongoing support for machine installations.

Recent additions to its service team bring the numbers of engineers up to 18 and, XYZ has recognised the expertise of Julia Aggett, who after eight years in the sales office has been promoted to customer services manager. Aggett’s promotion is in recognition of her administration skills that have been brought to the fore in her sales role over the past eight years. Her ability to plan and organise a team will be used to further enhance service levels at XYZ.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Fusion device benefits from composites

Rockwood Composites says that it used composites to successfully assemble the central core for the UK’s newest fusion device, Tokamak Energy’s ST40.

This involved the very precise application of a glass-fibre/Kapton/glass-fibre insulation layer to each of the core elements. The whole assembly was then bonded together with accurate control of the bond line thickness. Tokamak Energy is an Oxfordshire-based company that grew out of the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy. The business was established in 2009 to design and develop compact fusion power plants. Tokamak Energy’s aim is to put fusion power into the grid by 2030.
For further information www.rockwoodcomposites.com